Afrigather In a outstanding collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in South Africa, the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), a Nationwide Bridging and One Well being Framework five-day workshop was hosted from 4-8 September 2023, with the bold goal of fortifying the nation’s preparedness for zoonotic ailments whereas reinforcing the interconnection between human and animal well being providers.
The workshop, attended by roughly 90 contributors, was a monumental gathering that represented a various array of stakeholders, together with governmental departments, analysis establishments, academia, NGOs, and the personal sector. Every sector, be it Human Well being, Animal Well being, Agriculture, or Atmosphere, was well-represented, highlighting the collective dedication to advancing the reason for One Well being in South Africa.
The Key Workshop Targets of the workshop have been:
- Constructing on Well being Sector Assessments: The workshop supplied a useful alternative for well being providers within the internet hosting nations to construct upon assessments carried out in each the human well being and animal well being sectors. This foundational step is essential for understanding the prevailing strengths and weaknesses in addressing well being threats.
- Strengthening Preparedness and Management: Individuals explored choices for improved coordination, emphasizing the necessity for a unified strategy in enhancing preparedness and controlling the unfold of zoonotic ailments—an important side of safeguarding public well being.
- Elevating Consciousness: The workshop performed a pivotal position in elevating consciousness amongst nationwide stakeholders concerning the One Well being Joint Plan of Motion (OHJPA). Attendees have been launched to the draft Implementation Information developed by the quadripartite, shedding mild on the great strategy wanted to deal with multifaceted well being challenges.
- Reviewing the Nationwide One Well being Strategic Framework: In a forward-looking transfer, the workshop included a assessment of South Africa’s present Nationwide One Well being Strategic Framework. This examination aimed to determine areas of enchancment and align the nation’s methods with international finest practices.
Dr. Joseph Wamala, standing in for the consultant of the WHO Nation Workplace in South Africa, delivered enlightening introductory feedback. He underscored the next key factors:
- The rising international threats associated to meals and water security hazards and the alarming progress of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitate coordinated motion.
- The interconnectedness of challenges affecting people, animals, crops, and the setting highlights the necessity for a unified strategy.
- The One Well being strategy emerges as the answer—an built-in, unifying technique that seeks to optimize the well being of people, animals, crops, and ecosystems sustainably.
- The inaugural IHR-PVS Nationwide Bridging Workshop for South Africa serves as a guiding beacon for contributors. It is going to steer them by way of assessments in each the human and animal well being sectors, facilitate improved collaboration, and inform operational methods for policymakers.
The workshop’s anticipated outcomes are as promising as its aims. Individuals will collectively develop a joint roadmap to handle widespread gaps throughout all sectors. This unified effort will culminate within the creation of a complete One Well being Framework Joint Plan of Motion for South Africa.
The WHO Nation Workplace in South Africa, together with its companions, continues to paved the way in selling a holistic strategy to well being. By means of collaborative efforts and initiatives like this workshop, South Africa is paving the trail towards a more healthy, safer, and extra interconnected future for all its inhabitants.
